Brooklyn's Lopez added to All-Star lineup

Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK, - Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez was named by NBA commissioner David Stern on Wednesday to replace injured Boston guard Rajon Rondo on the East squad in next month's NBA All-Star Game.

Lopez will make his first NBA All-Star Game appearance on February 17 at Houston in the 62nd edition of the annual showdown between Eastern Conference and Western Conference playmakers.

Lopez is averaging 18.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in 38 games for the Nets, who rank second in the Atlantic Division at 27-18.

The move came three days after the Celtics learned that they will be without Rondo for the remainder of the season because of a torn right knee ligament.

Rondo, who averaged an NBA-best 11.1 assists plus 13.7 points over 38 games this season, is expected to recover from surgery and be ready for pre-season training camp next October, according to Celtics general manager Danny Ainge.

Rondo suffered the injury last week in a double-overtime loss at Atlanta.